"Portrait and biographical album of Coles County, Illinois"
  
Mr. and Mrs. Silverthorn
L. SILVERTHORN, M. D., one of the most prominent and successful physicians of Charleston, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has been a resident of this county for many years, building up a good practice, accumulating a competency, and thoroughly identifying himself with the interests of the people. He comes of excellent ancestry, and the first representatives of his family in this country located in Pennsylvania, which was the birthplace of his father, Nicholas Silverthorn, who was born May 12, 1787, and there passed his early life.
Dr. Silverthorn was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Pa., Oct. -21, 1830. His mother, Margaret (Linn) Silverthorn, was a native of New Jersey, and was of Scotch and German ancestry. She married Nicholas Silverthorn in or near Belvidere, N. J., June 23, 1810, and in 1833 they became residents of Blairstown, N. J., where they remained until 1843, and thence removed to Orange County, N. Y. The elder Silverthorn was a tailor by trade, but was fond of country life and followed farming in connection with his trade. In 1848, he migrated from New York to Rock County, Wis., where he purchased 160 acres of unimproved land, and in connection with his trade, proceeded to build up a home. He erected a plank house, set out fruit and shade trees, and occupied the homestead thus established until his death, in 1874, after he had arrived at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The mother survived her husband until the 29th of August* 1884, being within fourteen days of ninety-five years.
The parental household included twelve children, of whom our subject was the youngest, and seven still survive: Oliver is a resident of Iowa; Lewis, of Albany, Wis., and Mary M., Daniel, Jehial, and Finley are residents of Rock County, Wis. Our subject made his home on the farm of his parents, receiving, in common with his brothers and sisters, careful training and a good education in the district school. Early in life, however, he began to work away from home, and was variously employed until eighteen years of age, when he commenced teaching in Rock County, being thus employed four successive winters, and during the summer worked at farming and carpentering. This kind of life, however, did not satisfy his ambition. He had always taken an interest in medical works, and commenced to read medicine regularly at Fond du Lac, under the instruction of Dr. Olds, with whom he remained several months, turning his attention principally to diseases of the eye. In 1854 he went to Paris, Edgar County, where he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession alone, making a specialty of treating the eye and meeting with fine success. He was convinced, however, that it would be to his advantage to still pursue his studies in this direction, and coining to Charleston gave his attention to his books and placed himself under the instruction of Dr. T. B. Trower. In the winter of 1855-56 he entered the Jefferson College, where he took a thorough course, and after his return commenced a general practice which he has since continued.
Dr. Silverthorn has wisely invested his surplus capital in real estate, becoming largely interested in mineral lands in Clear Creek, Summit, and Chaffee Counties, Col. His mines contain gold, silver, copper and lead, and are being developed, as rapidly as possible. In connection with these faraway interests, however, he has not forgotten the city where he makes his abiding-place, but has assisted to build up both its business and residence portions, especially the latter. He has one business block on the east side of the public square, and several tenements which he rents to good advantage. While having many interests to look after he neglects none, and his clear head and cool judgment are indicated in his successful management of both his practice and his finances. He is a prominent member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois Medical and the Esculapian Societies of the Wabash Valley. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially is a Royal Arch Mason.
The marriage of Dr. Silverthorn and Miss Amerial Trower was celebrated at the home of the bride’s parents in Charleston, Oct. 8, 185G. Mrs. S. is the daughter of Dr. T. B. Trower, a native of Virginia, who. came to this State in 1830, locating first in Shelbyville. Thence six years later he removed to Charleston, where he became prominent as a successful physician, and where his death took place in April, 1878. His family included five children, of whom the wife of our subject was the eldest.
Return To Contents
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated without consent.
All rights reserved. Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited.
The copyright (s) on this page must appear on all copied and/or printed material.

© 2024 by Coles County Administrator.